You have probably heard of this brand as it is one of the oldest cigar companies and was founded in Havana in 1845. The man behind the brand, Spaniard Don Jaime Partagas y Ravelo, had been in the cigar-making business for a long time before he founded his own factory Real Fabricas de Tabaco Partagas which translates as "Partagas Royal Tobacco Factory". The factory received its royal name because Don Jaime supplied cigars to various Asian and European noble families.

The secret of the success of the brand was the Spaniard's love of experimenting - he was not afraid of experimenting with different methods of tobacco fermenting and aging and is also believed to be the first one to hire the lector which was supposed to entertain cigar rollers by reading while they were working.

Don Jaime also had a great opportunity to experiment as he owned many plantations in Vuelta Abajo, the region boasted to have the best tobacco growing soil and crops in Cuba.

After the Spaniard's untimely demise in either 1864 or 1868 (rumored to be caused by a jealous rival pursuing one of his love interests), the business was taken over by his son Jose Partagas. Eventually, the factory was sold to Cifuentes, Pego y Cia who also acquired such brands as Ramon Allones, Bolivar and La Gloria Cubana.

Both before and after the Revolution, the Partagas brand produced in Cuba has been one of the most sought after and bestselling cigars in the world. By the mid-1990s, it was the second largest Cuban cigar brand, next to Montecristo.

Out of Partagas cigars, the 8-9-8 variety is perhaps the most famous, though all Partagas vitolas have a special half-strong flavor, rich earthy flavor and deep character. You can check if they are as good as they say here at My-Cuban-Cigars.com!